But sometime Sunday, inside linebacker Donald Butler suffered a concussion during a playoff loss to the Broncos. Add it to the Chargers' long list.

Improved health was an important aspect in San Diego's run to the divisional round. The streak ended when the fortune did, as Butler was one of three defensive starters to suffer a concussion during the game.

Inside linebacker Manti Te'o and strong safety Marcus Gilchrist also had a concussion, each when a teammate accidentally collided with him.

Butler was the only one to never exit the game.

It is not known for how long, if at all, Butler played through the injury. Players cannot return to the field once diagnosed with a concussion, required to pass the league's protocol before gaining clearance. That he played all 79 of the Chargers' defensive snaps would seem to indicate the team didn't make its diagnosis until after the game ended.

Butler was not available for comment Monday because of the injury, the team said.

Coach Mike McCoy declined Monday to comment on when Butler's concussion was sustained and whether it had any influence on the miscommunication between linebackers on a third-and-17 conversion allowed late in the fourth quarter.

The Chargers lost 24-17.

They were without right guard Jeromey Clary and, for the second straight week, defensive tackle Sean Lissemore. Each was inactive with a shoulder injury.

Te'o was struck by safety Jahleel Addae in the second quarter. Outside linebacker Reggie Walker hit Gilchrist in the fourth. Gilchrist had briefly left the game earlier when Addae hit him, injuring Gilchrist's shoulder.